The Department of Physics and Astronomy hosts a variety of events throughout each semester. These events range from special, once-a-semester field trips and outings to our biweekly colloquia, where speakers from outside Pomona College gives talks on a wide range of topics. Recent speakers have given talks on the mechanics of cucumber tendrils, Lyman Alpha emission and the reionization of the universe, quantum information science, and jellyfish-inspired engineering. The Department’s special events include retreats to the Halona cabins in Idyllwild, Physics Festival (a celebration of the intersection of art and physics), and overnight observing trips to Joshua Tree National Park.
One feature of our Pomona College Physics and Astronomy department is that as part of The Claremont Colleges, we share resources with the neighboring Claremont Colleges. For our department, this includes an astronomy program that is jointly offered with courses from Harvey Mudd College and Pomona College, a shared 1-meter telescope and electron microscope, and other collaborations. It also means that we have a great Physics and Astronomy colloquium series on alternate Tuesdays. All of the talks are in the Argue Auditorium 1051 of Millikan Laboratory, and start at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesdays.